The PGA Tour arrives at its unofficial fifth major this week as THE PLAYERS Championship returns to TPC Sawgrass. The 52nd edition of the tournament once again features one of the deepest fields in golf, with 123 of the world’s best players competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious trophies.
Check out our preview and betting tips for the event below and if you're keen to tail our tips, consider joining Betfair - a betting exchange that offers the best odds in the country!
PGA Tour The PLAYERS Championship Betting Tips
TPC Sawgrass, Thursday 12th - Sunday 15th March
Top Picks
Scottie Scheffler ($5.20)
Scheffler has already proven he can dominate TPC Sawgrass, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. Few players control their ball from tee to green as consistently as the world No. 1, and that precision is critical on a course where mistakes are punished quickly. Scheffler already owns a victory this season at The American Express and followed it up with a pair of top-five finishes shortly afterward. Even when his results appear slightly quieter, his underlying ball striking remains elite. With a history of success here and a game perfectly suited to Pete Dye’s demanding layout, Scheffler once again enters the week as the player to beat.
Tommy Fleetwood ($25)
Fleetwood’s steady, all-around game makes him a natural contender at Sawgrass. The reigning FedExCup champion has shown the ability to compete consistently on demanding layouts, and his iron play and course management skills should translate well to the Stadium Course. Fleetwood has made the cut in four straight appearances here and posted a T5 finish in 2019, demonstrating that he knows how to navigate the tricky angles and small targets at TPC Sawgrass. After a disappointing result at Bay Hill, this week provides the perfect opportunity for a bounce-back performance in a field where precision and patience are essential.
Value Picks
Jacob Bridgeman ($56)
Bridgeman continues to emerge as one of the breakout performers of the 2026 season. Sitting near the top of the FedExCup standings and already owning a victory earlier this year, he arrives at Sawgrass with confidence and momentum. His balanced skill set and fearless approach make him a dangerous player in big fields, and the unpredictable nature of THE PLAYERS often allows rising stars to make their mark. If Bridgeman continues his strong ball-striking form, he has the potential to surprise many this week.
Patrick Cantlay ($66)
Cantlay’s methodical style and elite tee-to-green consistency make him an intriguing sleeper at Sawgrass. He has the patience required to manage the course’s many strategic challenges, and when his iron play is dialed in he can quietly climb leaderboards. Cantlay thrives on difficult setups where avoiding mistakes becomes just as important as making birdies. If he finds rhythm early in the week, he has the pedigree and experience to contend deep into Sunday.
The Field
As expected, THE PLAYERS Championship brings together one of the strongest fields of the year. Rory McIlroy returns as defending champion after defeating J.J. Spaun in a playoff last year, while Scottie Scheffler leads the world rankings and continues to set the standard on the PGA Tour. Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele are among the many elite players chasing the title.
Several compelling storylines surround returning players. Justin Thomas continues his comeback from back surgery, while Brooks Koepka arrives with renewed momentum following a top-10 finish at the Cognizant Classic. Meanwhile, rising star Akshay Bhatia enters the week with confidence after capturing the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a playoff and recording multiple strong finishes this season.
The event also features players who have earned their spots through strong early-season play. Emerging names such as Joel Dahmen, Max Homa and Sahith Theegala join the field thanks to their FedExCup standings, adding even more depth to an already loaded lineup.
The Course
TPC Sawgrass remains one of the most recognizable and demanding courses in professional golf. The Stadium Course, a par 72 measuring 7,352 yards, was designed by Pete Dye to test every aspect of a player’s game. Strategic angles off the tee, well-protected greens and water hazards on nearly every hole force players to balance aggression with caution.
Recent modifications have slightly lengthened the course, adding more than 70 yards since last season. These adjustments place greater emphasis on long iron play while still maintaining the strategic character that defines the layout. Accuracy remains critical, and players who consistently find fairways and control their approach shots tend to rise to the top.
Of course, no discussion of TPC Sawgrass is complete without the iconic par-three 17th. The island green has decided countless tournaments over the years and will once again play a pivotal role in determining this year’s champion. With pressure mounting on the closing stretch, even the smallest mistake can change the outcome of one of golf’s biggest events.
